Expert report clears tuna harbour

Chennai: The 275-crore tuna fishing harbour in Thiruvottiyur received approval from the Centre of Advanced Study in Marine Biology, which found its impact on marine life to be minimal during construction and operation.
The clearance followed an expert assessment mandated by National Green Tribunal (NGT) after fishermen raised concerns about ecological damage.The study, conducted by Annamalai University's research centre in consultation with the Tamil Nadu Biodiversity Board (TN-BB), examined marine and intertidal biotopes, including seagrasses, seaweeds, molluscs, fish, turtles, and plankton.
The fishing harbour project division of the Tamil Nadu fisheries department, represented by executive engineer K Saravanakumar, submitted a comprehensive environmental impact report to the NGT.
To assess pollution risks, Indomer Coastal Hydraulics was also engaged to study potential fuel and lubricant spillage from construction activities and oil leaks from fishing boats. The findings were reviewed by the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), which issued an amendment to the project's environmental clearance on Sept 30, 2024.
Despite the approval, Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) earlier suspended work in April 2024 due to environmental violations, including untreated sewage discharge into the sea. Following an NGT directive, a technical sub-committee reviewed the project and reinstated clearance in June under strict conditions, such as bans on fish processing, descaling, and groundwater extraction while mandating sewage treatment for gardening.
Work resumed in Sept 2024 after TNPCB granted fresh clearance, but the fisheries department is still awaiting Consent to Operate (CTO). Meanwhile, a proposal has been submitted to allocate 2% of the project cost for infrastructure development in nearby govt schools.
Arguing that all regulatory norms, including coastal regulation zone (CRZ) and environmental clearances, have been followed, the department has urged the NGT to dismiss the petition seeking a ban on the project, warning that further delays would escalate costs and hinder public welfare benefits.
In last week's hearing, the petitioner sought time to file a response. So, the case has been adjourned to March 24.